The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shadab Ahmed

Many people around the world make new year resolution and by maintaining those they achieve their goals. A resolution is a promise to yourself to make a change in your life. The tradition of making resolutions is something we look forward to because we believe it is a fresh start. The New Year gives us a clean slate, allowing us to leave bad habits behind, while looking forward to a brighter, more positive future. We feel confident that just as a whole calendar year can change in a 10 second countdown, we too can change our attitudes, conquer our demons, and gain tons of willpower all in the blink of an eye.

Expecting too much of ourselves too quickly, however, can be self-defeating. If we don't see the results we are looking for fast enough, we may end up frustrated, undermining even the best of intentions to stick to our promise. As a result, finding ways to hold yourself to your resolution is even more important than the resolution itself. Setting interim milestones and taking small steps one day at a time is a much more promising and realistic way of attaining your goals. You owe it to yourself to keep your promise and if you do, you'll find that it proves to be very rewarding.

List out your favourite activities

If you don't enjoy exercise, your motivation will diminish. As a result, think about the kinds of activities you enjoy. Do you enjoy outdoor sports, indoor fitness classes, dance, martial arts, etc? List them out and think about how to incorporate them into your life.

Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a restaurant or take the family to nearby park for family fun. Work shouldn't always come first!

Fit in Fitness

Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Because it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for one of a gym?

Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of citizens of the world, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby. Go to a theatre performance, or head to the local spa.

Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change; want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.

Photo: Sharif Khan